So I just finished watching Unleashed, AKA Danny the Dog in Hong Kong, staring Jet Li and I must admit after watching the movie Im still stuck with a bad taste in my mouth. Im the first to admit, I love a good action movie. I love my Hong Kong style action movies the most, especially old school Chow Yun Fat paired with John Woo. I was one of the first to express my happiness when Hollywood adopted this genre into its fold with the importing of Jackie Chan, Jet and Chow into its machismo of machismo genre. I was hoping that this would improve the Wests portrayal of the stereotypical Asian male. I was hoping that since we were now going to be the action hero and not the villain, computer sidekick, ancient teacher, or run of the mill food worker in the background that maybe this would help in combating these insulting stereotypes that have plagued me since childhood.
Sofarso good. These movies have become successful, grossing a moderate take for their Hollywood backers. The movies have opened the door for others to follow and very slowly Asians are being cast in other roles allowed to play regular everyday Asian Americans who have grown up in the states and are to say the least, very American. Examples being John Cho in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and the independent film Better Luck Tomorrow.
But one thing bugs me Hollywood. After seeing Unleashed my memory went back to other action movies produced and released by you; Romeo Must Die, The Replacement Killers, The Tuxedo, etc. In most movies of the action genre the leading man has a love interest. In Romeo Must Die, Jet Lis love interest was Aaliyah, In The Replacement Killers, Chow Yun Fats love interest was Mira Sorvino. Now I know that in the prototypical Hollywood ending the Hero kisses his love interest at some point. Now here is the kicker, Ive yet to see an Asian leading man kiss a Caucasian Leading woman in a movie in the action genre. Or better yet, any genre! Im not talking about a peck on the cheek either, that doesnt count. Im talking about the, Oh Shit! I almost got blown up but thanks to your good graces I was saved. Now Im going to celebrate by giving you a deep tongue tonsil hockey kiss that will leave with a woody the length of a chopstick!
Why is this? What is so frightening about an Asian male kissing a sexy leading Hollywood woman? I mean weve come to accept lesbians and gay men kissing on TV and in movies, but NO! We will not have those Asians kissing women on screen! What will our children think? Im not saying that interracial romance is a requirement to be shoved in at every chance, but if you can film African and Latino males with Caucasian female love interests then why not do the same for Asian Americans?
I mean is it the slanty eyes? The thick black hair or have we been so feminized by the medias propaganda machine that youre too scared to take the risk? Are we too short? Did my ex tell you that I was a bad kisser? Is Mr. Sulu just not good enough for Lt. Uhura?
Its 2005; we had a successful Womans Liberation movement, a successful Civil Rights movement, urban Meccas full of hundreds of cultures within walking distance. How about one more hurdle crossed?
Sofarso good. These movies have become successful, grossing a moderate take for their Hollywood backers. The movies have opened the door for others to follow and very slowly Asians are being cast in other roles allowed to play regular everyday Asian Americans who have grown up in the states and are to say the least, very American. Examples being John Cho in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and the independent film Better Luck Tomorrow.
But one thing bugs me Hollywood. After seeing Unleashed my memory went back to other action movies produced and released by you; Romeo Must Die, The Replacement Killers, The Tuxedo, etc. In most movies of the action genre the leading man has a love interest. In Romeo Must Die, Jet Lis love interest was Aaliyah, In The Replacement Killers, Chow Yun Fats love interest was Mira Sorvino. Now I know that in the prototypical Hollywood ending the Hero kisses his love interest at some point. Now here is the kicker, Ive yet to see an Asian leading man kiss a Caucasian Leading woman in a movie in the action genre. Or better yet, any genre! Im not talking about a peck on the cheek either, that doesnt count. Im talking about the, Oh Shit! I almost got blown up but thanks to your good graces I was saved. Now Im going to celebrate by giving you a deep tongue tonsil hockey kiss that will leave with a woody the length of a chopstick!
Why is this? What is so frightening about an Asian male kissing a sexy leading Hollywood woman? I mean weve come to accept lesbians and gay men kissing on TV and in movies, but NO! We will not have those Asians kissing women on screen! What will our children think? Im not saying that interracial romance is a requirement to be shoved in at every chance, but if you can film African and Latino males with Caucasian female love interests then why not do the same for Asian Americans?
I mean is it the slanty eyes? The thick black hair or have we been so feminized by the medias propaganda machine that youre too scared to take the risk? Are we too short? Did my ex tell you that I was a bad kisser? Is Mr. Sulu just not good enough for Lt. Uhura?
Its 2005; we had a successful Womans Liberation movement, a successful Civil Rights movement, urban Meccas full of hundreds of cultures within walking distance. How about one more hurdle crossed?
thelibra:
you should really join sgct...and post some more in the emergency service group!